🏸 Women's doubles semi-finals
Korea's Kim Hye Jeong / Kong Hee Yong, 10th in the world rankings but the best players on the World Tour this year, got the better of the new Chinese pairing of Jia Yi Fan / Zhang Shu Xian in three sets 19-21, 21-9, 21-15.
The match took an unexpected turn when the Japanese pair withdrew in the second set. Baek Ha Na and Lee So Hee, seeded No. 1, had won the first set 21-16 and looked well on their way to victory. However, Yuki Fukushima and Mayu Matsumoto were forced to withdraw before the end of the match due to an injury to Yuki Fukushima, allowing the South Koreans to reach the final. This could give them a physical advantage for tomorrow's decisive match.
🏆 Women's doubles final: 100% South Korean duel
The final will therefore pit Baek Ha Na / Lee So Hee against Kim Hye Jeong / Kong Hee Yong, ensuring a title for South Korea.
🇰🇷 Baek Ha Na / Lee So Hee
- Baek Ha Na : A young South Korean badminton prodigy, Baek Ha Na has rapidly established herself on the international scene thanks to her speed and precision. In the last 12 months, she has won the Korea Open 2024 and reached the semi-finals of the All England Open 2024.
- Lee So Hee : An experienced player, Lee So Hee was silver medallist at the 2023 World Championships and won the title at the 2024 Japan Open. Her consistency and tactical sense make her an ideal partner for Baek Ha Na.
Together, they won the China Open 2024 and reached the final of the Malaysia Masters 2024, consolidating their status as the best in the world.
🇰🇷 Kim Hye Jeong / Kong Hee Yong
- Kim Hye Jeong : Known for her solid defence and reflexes, Kim Hye Jeong won the Thailand Open 2024 and reached the quarter-finals of the World Championships 2024.
- Kong Hee Yong : Versatile and aggressive at the net, Kong Hee Yong was a finalist in the Indonesia Masters 2024 and won the Singapore Open 2024.
Their recent association has already borne fruit, with a victory at the Denmark Open 2024 and a semi-final at the French Open 2024, showing their rise to prominence on the circuit.
